More planes equal more cash locally

September 14, 2006

Phil Zwickl's Aug. 8 letter warrants a reply. I feel the South Bend Regional Airport has no choice other than to provide additional aircraft parking spaces for football weekends. We cannot deny aircraft the right to utilize our facility. My job is to ensure that the operation is accomplished as efficiently and as safely as possible, hence the need to provide more parking spaces in close proximity to the fixed base operations headquarters. The federal share of the approximately $750,000 project comes from the Airport & Airways Development Trust Fund, which is funded by taxes on airline tickets and various other aviation-related products. The federal participation in any approved project for an airport with our traffic level is 90 percent. The state of Indiana provides a 5 percent matching grant and the remaining 5 percent comes from the local airport's property tax levy. Assuming the final cost is $750,000, the federal share is $675,000 and the state and local shares are $37,500. Assuming that St. Joseph County's share of the state grant is $2,000, the very most that the local taxpayers will have to pay is $39,500 or $395 per new space. The St. Joseph County Airport Authority receives 5 cents per gallon of fuel pumped by Corporate Wings Inc. During the University of Southern California game last year the company pumped 93,000 gallons, which would result in a payment of $4,650 to the authority. The average number of gallons pumped on a game weekend is 50,000, which brings in $2,500 per game, $17,500 per season and $350,000 to the authority over the 20-year life of the pavement. The same football activity impacts Michiana in the same way it does the airport; the restaurants, hotels, shopping outlets, etc., all benefit to the tune of approximately $6 million per game.

"I gave her everything she wanted. I would deny her nothing." (Tribune, Aug. 30) That phrase infuriates and horrifies me. That beautiful child (Gisela Alfaro, 4, died of injuries suffered in a traffic accident Aug. 12. -- Editor) was denied minimum care and protection from the very adults who were entrusted with her life. I am deeply offended that The Tribune has glorified those whose action resulted in the loss of that innocent child's life. Everyone, in this day and age is very aware of the laws regarding child restraints and anyone who disregards that law is not fit to be responsible for a child. He should be treated accordingly for his blatant disregard for the child's well-being that ultimately cost her life. I feel for the driver of the Honda Civic who was involved in such a horrific accident that so easily could have been prevented. I also feel as though The Tribune did a disservice to the community by opting to portray this story in this manner. I'm certain the family is devastated, and I will pray for comfort for them. I think The Tribune should work toward educating the community so other families do not have to suffer this type of loss.

Carolyn GraceNorth Liberty

Curious

Just curious, is there no land available in South Bend for a new WSBT-TV station? Will the call letters be changed to WMISH-TV after the move to Edison Lakes? It appears to me the station should stay in South Bend to remain WSBT.